Chapter 18 Hurt Marilyn , and Ill Destroy You The warnings echoed in her mind .
Laurens chest rose and fell sharply , her loose strands of hair trembling with her fury .
She locked eyes with Elliot , her gaze filled with pure hatred , as if she wanted to tear him apart .
Was it you ? Elliot sat up slightly , folding his hands loosely over his lap , his expression perfectly calm untouched , composed , almost aristocratic .
What ? I have no idea what youre talking about Mia was expelled .
Did you order it ? Laurens voice was tight , forced through gritted teeth .
Elliot , Im warning you stay away from Marilyn and Mia .
If you dont … Elliots eyes narrowed , a dangerous glint flashing through them .
All this over a maids daughter she cared so much about outsiders , yet when it came to me , her own brother , all I got was cold indifference .
The thought made his blood boil .
He clenched his jaw , bitterness twisting inside him .
Or what ? Laurens voice was unwavering .
Tll take you down with me .
A strange ache twisted in Elliots chest .
Tm your brother .
And this is how you see me ? Lauren didnt respond , but the coldness in her eyes said it all .
Their eyes locked , tension thickening the air between them .
Suddenly , the shrill ring of a phone shattered the silence .
Elliot glanced at the screen Marilyn .
His lips curled into a smirk as he answered , meeting Laurens expectant gaze .
The moment he picked up , Marilyns anxious , desperate voice poured through the speaker .
Mr.
Elliot , please , I have no one else to turn to .
I beg you use the Bennett familys connections ; do something to stop the school from expelling Mia ! Shes my only daughter .
Ive worked so hard to raise her , and shes so close to graduating .
If she gets expelled now , her future will be ruined … Elliot listened to her frantic pleas , but his focus never wavered from Lauren , watching her every reaction .
Laurens hands clenched into tight fists , her nails digging deep into her palms .
Marilyn had no idea she was begging the very man responsible for all of this .
And Lauren knowing the truth was powerless to stop it .
Once again , she had no choice but to put her fate in Elliots hands .
Her voice was low , strained .
Help her .
Elliot arched a brow , covering the phones mic with his hand .
Tll help her but only if you apologize to Elaine .
Get Kenneth to forgive you , and Marilyns daughter wont be expelled .
Laurens eyes burned red with anger , but she had no other choice .
Fine .
Ill do it .
Satisfied , Elliot turned back to the phone without hesitation .
Dont worry , Marilyn .
Mia wont be expelled .
After hanging up , he stood and grabbed his keys .
Tll drive you .
No need .
Ill take a cab Lauren shot him down without hesitation .
Til get you there faster .
He insisted .
Chapter 18 Hurt Marilyn , and Ill Destroy You Without emotion , she said , Looking at you makes me sick .
And with that , she turned and walked away .
Elliots face flushed red , his jaw clenched so tightly it ached .
Finished He tried to suppress the rage rising in his chest , but it was impossible .
Fury took over , and with one swift kick , he sent the coffee table flying .
Glass shattered .
Tea splashed across the floor , soaking into the expensive carpet , but he didnt care .
His rage drowned out everything else .
Lauren , dont push it ! Elliots gaze burned into her retreating figure .
He just didnt get it he had even lowered himself in front of her , yet she refused to budge .
Why couldnt she just go back to the obedient girl she used to be ? Why did she always have to challenge me ? Lauren always knew how to get under his skin , effortlessly striking where it hurt the most But she didnt slow down for a second .
In no time , she had walked out of the Bennett estate At the gate , she ran into Jeffrey .
With his usual smug , playboy attitude , Jeffrey scanned her from head to toe , his eyes filled with amusement .
Damn .
Swollen face , busted leg you look like a total mess Not that it mattered .
No one pitied her anyway .
Lauren didnt even spare him a glance , brushing past him with cold indifference .
Jeffrey frowned .
As Elliots friend , Jeffrey was used to Lauren treating him like a guest of honor bringing him tea , tending to his every need , always eager to please whenever he visited the Bennett house .
But now , the complete shift caught him off guard .
He couldnt wrap his head around it .
Hey , where are you going ? Ill give you a ride .
She ignored him .
Her indifference only fueled Jeffreys irritation .
He quickly caught up to her and grabbed her wrist .
Tm talking to you ! What ? Are you deaf ? Lauren finally stopped , her voice calm but cutting .
Mr.
Jeffrey , if it makes you feel better , go ahead think of me as deaf , mute , or whatever you want .
I dont care .
I have one request stay out of my life and pretend I dont exist .
Can you do that ? What the heck ? I never did anything to you ! Why are you acting crazy ? Then just assume Im crazy Lauren yanked her hand free and walked away without looking back .
Jesus , whats your problem ! Jeffrey stood frozen , watching her limp away .
His eyes fell to her injured leg , the bruises and cuts barely hidden beneath her clothes .
For some reason , the sight of it made him feel uneasy .
Skulina Medical Center Hossendale Chapter 18 Hurt Marilyn , and Ill Destroy Your Lauren pushed open the door to Elaines VIP hospital room and stopped at the foot of the bed , The woman lying in the bed looked nothing like the one she remembered .
Finished As the heiress of Gray Corporation , Elaine had always been effortlessly beautiful sweet faced , impeccably dressed , the picture of a storybook princess .
But now , she was nothing more than a shadow of her former self .
The natural fullness of her body had faded , leaving only pale , delicate skin stretched tightly over fragile bones .
Her cheeks were hollow , her sharp cheekbones protruded , and her limbs had withered , fragile and thin .
Looking at her now , Lauren couldnt help but feel a pang of sorrow .
A dull ache settled in her chest , as if she were staring at a reflection of her own suffering .
The truth was , she and Elaine had never gotten along But that had always been one sided .
Elaine despised her , targeting her at every turn .
JAnd the reason was simple Elaine and Willow had grown up together .
They were inseparable .
Elaines perception of Lauren had been entirely shaped by Willows words .
Lauren had no idea what Willow had told her , but it certainly wasnt anything good .
Otherwise , Elaine wouldnt have been so convinced that she was the villain that she was the one bullying Willow .
Even now, Lauren still couldnt wrap her head around it Why would Willow push Elaine down the stairs if they were such close friends ? More than that why had David stood by , doing nothing to stop Willow ! Why had he not only allowed Willow to commit the crime but also helped her pin it on me ? She had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time .
She had seen what happened .
She had witnessed their attempted murder .
And worst of all , Alice had arrived at the scene just in time to catch her standing there turning her into the perfect scapegoat .
Because Elaine and Willow were best friends , Elliot and Kenneth refused to believe that Willow could have hurt her .
To them , it had to be Lauren .
She was the scapegoat .
The villain in their perfect story .